Chargers say Ron Wolf served purpose

Ron Wolf has been called a master builder, a man who leaves no stone unturned, the former architect of the Packers, the key behind their 1990s powerhouse.

In San Diego, he was the steady note-taker.

The Chargers had the retired general manager in their interview room, where he consulted this month in two searches. They led to the hirings of GM Tom Telesco and coach Mike McCoy.

Looking back, his presence served its purpose, the team says.

Did Wolf hire the men? No. Was he asked to be a decision-maker? No.

But the 74-year-old with a 1997 Super Bowl ring, when not taking notes as candidates spoke, lent his voice.

It was heard Monday after the Chargers interviewed McCoy.

“When you’re interviewing candidates who have never been a head coach,” said John Spanos, director of college scouting, in a Wednesday phone interview, “I think one of the No. 1 questions is, ‘Is this guy ready to be a head coach?’ And Ron, when it was all said and done, agreed with all of us. ‘This guy is ready. There’s no doubt. This guy is ready.’

“I remember him saying that, and it just kind of reaffirmed all of our thoughts.”

Along with Wolf and Spanos, Chargers President Dean Spanos and Assistant GM Ed McGuire were part of the team that chose Telesco. Dean Spanos technically had final authority. Telesco joined the interviewer group and had the final call on McCoy.

Wolf, in his 70s, carried one of five decades of perspective.

John is in his 30s, Telesco is in his 40s, McGuire 50s and Dean 60s.

Wolf preached the importance of a strong working relationship between coach and GM. He kept the group loose with occasional stories about Al Davis, the late Raiders owner with whom he first worked in 1963 when breaking into the league as a scout.

“He was great,” Dean Spanos said this week of Wolf. “He did exactly what I was hoping he would do. He didn’t ask a whole lot of questions, but the questions he asked were very important — and it told a lot.”

Nuts ‘n’ Bolts

• Bruce Arians was scheduled to interview Wednesday with the Chargers, but after McCoy agreed to coach here, Telesco canceled the meeting early Tuesday. Telesco worked with the Colts offensive coordinator in Indianapolis. “It was a tough phone call,” Telesco said. “I have so much respect for Bruce. He’s an excellent football coach and he’s going to be a good head coach in this league. … I was honest with him and I told him that there were different situations and different fits, that right now this fit was a fit for Mike McCoy. And he understood.”